Leader Guide

Active Game


  • Optional: painters tape or masking tape
  • Mark or tape two lines about 15–20 feet apart in the room

In Philippians 2:3 (CEV), the Apostle Paul says: 

Don’t be jealous or proud but be humble and consider others more important than yourselves.

Jesus came into the world to serve, not to be served. He told a story about taking the lowest place at the foot of the table instead of the seats of honor at the front of the table. He said in Luke 14:11:

“For those who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

When we are humble and place other people in front of us, God honors us and gives us favor.

Optional: Read Luke 14:7–11: 

 7When Jesus noticed that all who had come to the dinner were trying to sit in the seats of honor near the head of the table, He gave them this advice: 8“When you are invited to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited? 9The host will come and say, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table! 10“Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, ‘Friend, we have a better place for you!’ Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests. 11For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

We are going to play a game about being first and last; honored and humbled.

Divide the class into teams of no more than 4–6 children depending on class size. Each team forms a single file line behind the same line at one end of the room. Leave several feet between teams. The object of the game is to move the team from one end of the room to the mark at the other end and then back again. How the teams move is what is unique about this game! Each team’s line advances forward when the last player in line “peels off” and walks quickly to the front of the line, then the next player, and so on. The player who was first in line will eventually be the last and then move to the front again! Once the team reaches the end mark, they will turn around and start over with the end player walking to the front again. The first team to reach the starting line wins. 

Note: You could have players on the second phase of the game turn around and walk backward to the front to advance for more of a challenge.

How did you like that game? It was different wasn’t it? Children respond.

How did it feel to be first and then find yourself last again? Children respond.

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